There has been some incorrect analysis on the third diagram earlier in this thread. This is the true reason why a push to e5 is clever:

This site I used, I played Smith Morra Gambit in games shorter than 30 minutes, now I prefer closed Sicilian.

Mytik: In 3rd diagram black played a6 before Nf6, position u showed is basic trap in smith morra gambit

Larz: i will look that site seems to be interesting

Anyway, to the 3rd diagram, what about this

I want to thank Nosferatu for the link.  At my level of learning the GM at that link provided a really great step by step method of learning the basics of the Morra-Smith Gambit.  I added the site to my Favorites list.  I could really use more help of this nature.  There appear to be other openings on the site that address other openings.  I will go over them all and see what else is there.  If anyone has links to any similar clear, step by step free learning sites I would love to see them.  I think they could help a lot of us lower class players improve our openings rather quickly.  Thanks, again.  Scott

I'd be interested in hearing how experienced Smith-Morra players deal with an early a6/e6 by black.  Most of the analysis I've seen in this thread assumes that black will cooperate with white's plans and that kind of thinking is a recipe for a thrashing.

 This line is covered by NCO ( Nunn ) and is the only line given as favoring black.

In the third diagram black play's 6.a6 not 6.Nf6 that's why 7.e5 doesn't work

I could tell how I would play against it but I'd need more info after 4...e6 5.Nf3 a6 6.Bc4, black has couple options 6...b5, Nc6, d6. One common theme when black plays a6, is the weak b6 square, white can play Be3 and Na4 in some lines, and gernerate an attack based on that square.

What happens is black plays d6 instead of e6? At a glance, it seems to shut of whites onslaught

Thanks for the info, Reb.  It's good to know that my experience with the Smith-Morra is in synch with the NCO.  I used to enjoy the SMG quite a bit but after running into players who knew the theory I swore off it -- such was the extent of the beatings I took. 

As I mentioned before, it might not be an outright refutation but when you're playing white in the SMG and black immediately busts your light square strategy -- it *feels* like a refutation!  No fun!

For those that are interested, here's an example of what I've been referring to.  See Move List for pertinent variations.

Here's another thought down that e6/a6 path, with an early rook-lift to d7.  I've followed it through the Game Explorer, and black scores very well with it; in the games where I've used it, I never even really felt like I was under a lot of pressure.  White eventually timed out at the end of this game, but Black is up a clean pawn:

A question: after 1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3 dxc3 4.Nxc3 e6 what's the purpose of 5.Bc4? The bishop will do nothing on the a2-g8 diagonal.

Spiffe, white didn't play that line correctly 10.Be3 is stronger and leads to very complex positions. check the move list for some variations.

Good question.  It's even more pertinent when black has also moved a6 as you know that b5 is looming which not only forces white to retreat the bishop but opens the door for black to threaten the c3 Knight with b4.  After it's all said and done, black has forced white to waste valuable time.  In gambit openings, time is almost always your enemy....

As far as the Rook-lift goes, it's certainly an interesting idea but c8 strikes me as a much more natural counter to the frequently seen Rc1.

I would like to refresh the topic, but mainly because i would like to employ this line as black

Cental pawns are doubled, weak and isolated, 1 pawn seems to be meaningless, isnt it?

What do you think about it, maybe playing e6 instead of capturing is just better move?

if there is something funny for you, say it so we could laugh together... if not just plz keep silence